Where: KGLT Studios, Strand Union Building on MSU campus
When: Session A: July 13-17 | Session B: July 20-24
Who: Ages 8–14
Cost: $300
The fundamentals
KGLT Kids Songwriting workshop is a creative space for young songwriters to explore the magic of melody and lyricism. Participants learn the craft of songwriting, music composition, and audio recording. Through collaborations with working musicians, each child brings their compositions to life.
The kids graduate with the tools to write original music and poetry and record a professional-sounding production. Selected projects air on KGLT radio.
Music theory
The kids start by learning basic chords and bass lines on keyboards. The keyboard becomes their composition tool, playing their own music with their own chords. They then collaborate with each other and guest musicians to practice and improve their songs.
They leave the workshop knowing the three main aspects of music: rhythm, melody, and chord progressions. Instruction focuses on learning music by ear, not notation. These lessons build compositional skills and confidence in the students.
Time to write
We set aside a section of each day just for the kids to compose. Students use the songwriting tools they acquired during the week to develop their songs.
Participants will learn the craft of songwriting, music composition, and audio recording. They will use the stations recording studio to produce a professional-sounding project worthy for radio. Selected projects will be aired on KGLT. Session A will be focused on songwriting and instrumentation, Session B will be a blend of the DJ and songwriting camp.
A sonic schedule
The camp takes place at Montana State University in both a classroom and at the KGLT studio. We schedule short breaks, for games or time outdoors.
The kids use a songwriting journal every day for taking notes, brainstorming song ideas, and developing their original lyrics and music. Several lessons during week survey music history, with insights the many major influences, genres, and forms that combine into today’s music.
Schedule:
8:30-9:00 Drop off in front of the American Indian Hall
9:00- 10:30 Group 1 in KGLT studio | Group 2 in classroom building project
10:30-12:00 Group 2 in KGLT studio | Group 1 in classroom building project
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00- 1:30 Group 1 songwriting – DJ Mixer | Group 2 learning instrumentation
2:00- 2:30 Group 2 songwriting – DJ Mixer | Group 1 learning instrumentation
2:30-3:00 End of day meeting
3:00- 3:30 Game outside
3:00- 3:30 Parent pickup
